Saturday, October 30, 2010

Bledisloe Cup victory at Hong Kong Stadium

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Jerome Kaino of the All Blacks leaps his way forward during the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Hong Kong Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Hong Kong.
October 29, 2010 - Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac
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Wallabies end All Blacks' winning streak
Australia ended New Zealand's winning streak with an injury time try to wing James O'Connor who then calmly slotted the conversion to win the game 24-26 in Hong Kong.
It was an end to 10 successive losses at the All Blacks' hands and it took O'Connor, surprisingly overlooked when the goal-kicking was failing during the first half, to turn what was a performance with so many frustrations for Australia in a victory.
Australia went out to a 12-0 lead before New Zealand came back to lead 17-12.
New Zealand looked to have held out a last-gasp Australian effort as wave after wave washed towards the line. The ball was turned over and replacement five-eighths Stephen Donald kicked downfield, but not out, and fullback Kurtley Beale ran the ball back for O'Connor to make the most of a worn out defensive unit.
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Last-gasp Wallabies prevail in HK
Australia finally ended their 10-game losing streak to New Zealand by beating their trans-Tasman rivals 26-24 in a thrilling Test spectacle in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Another All Blacks victory seemed a sure thing after the Kiwis had thwarted a previous Wallaby attack just seconds earlier. However replacement fly-half Stephen Donald failed to find touch with his clearance kick. But trailing 24-19 with the final hooter having sounded, Australia managed to keep the ball alive through several phases of play before O'Connor crashed over the line.
As expected, the game was played at a frenetic pace from start to finish with both sides giving the dispersed crowd excellent value for their money. What a shame a high-quality Test match such as this, couldn't be witnessed by a sold-out stadium.
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Friday, October 29, 2010

Hong Kong Showdown / Bledisloe Cup

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McCaw discounts history
Skipper Richie McCaw insists New Zealand's recent record will count for nothing when they face Australia in the final Bledisloe Cup game of the year at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday.
The All Blacks have won the last 10 meetings against their old foes and are unbeaten in their last 15 Tests since a 32-29 defeat to South Africa in Hamilton in September 2009.
McCaw, though, dismissed his side's impressive form this year, pointing to the dramatic 23-22 victory in Sydney last month as evidence any slip in standards will give Australia the opportunity to end New Zealand's unbeaten run.
"It's a new Test, history doesn't mean anything at the kickoff, that's what you've got to instil," he said.
"What gives you the chance to win is you get your preparation right and play for 80 minutes dead right. The numbers could add pressure if you looked at it like that but if you look at what allows you to get a performance that will allow you to win the game, they're the things you've got to focus on and that's what we're trying to drive with this team.
read the whole thing here:
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